The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, has said the government is taking immediate steps to activate Community-Based Platforms for preventing and responding to violent extremism across the country.
He made this known on Thursday in Abuja during a validation meeting of the study on preventing and responding to violent extremism in selected States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The NSA, who was represented by Mrs. Aisha Garba, Head of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) in the NSA’s office, said the community-based platforms are a priority identified by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
He also said the ONSA, through the integration of strategic communication into the PCVE programming, would embark on advocacy and dialogue, leveraging the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to encourage local and state governments to mirror the national action plan and develop states action plans for preventing and countering violent extremism that are locally relevant.
He said: “We are working with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and relevant government offices to support Ministries, Departments and Agencies in implementing the presidential directive by ensuring they are able to identify PCVE tasks annually, budget for such activities and implement appropriately.”
He explained that the validation demonstrated the depth of commitment to addressing the threat of violent extremism in the country.
The NSA noted that this followed the launch of the policy framework and national action plan for preventing and countering violent extremism in 2017 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
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